A few MAC essentials.

It seems every beauty addict had a MAC phase at some point in her life - mine was at the very beginning, when I was itching to put literally everything to the test and therefore basically burning all my pocket money trying to keep up with their monthly releases -. Even if it's been quite some time since I bought that first pot of Studio Sculpt concealer that started everything, my love affair with them and their cult products is still going strong, hence this emergency shopping trip to the closest counter when I realized I was running low on a couple must haves.

As soon as my old bottle gave out the last spray, I had to race out to buy a new Prep + Prime Fix +. This super fine mist has been a staple in my routine for many years, because it has so many different uses and it's incredibly versatile - it's an hydrating primer and an alcohol-free setting spray, it's great to dampen your sponge for flawless foundation application or your brushes to increase the intensity of powder eyeshadows, but it also works as a makeup refresher to bring back to life old, cakey makeup. I can't be without it.
Speaking of multi-purpose products, I'm just going to blame Nettart for my next purchase, as before I stumbled on her IG account I never felt the need to dive into the oil trend. She uses Essential Oils for pretty much anything, from hydrating base to mixing medium to create all kind of gorgeous concoctions - try mixing a drop with Vanilla or Tan pigment and get ready to swoon. 

Of course, I had to get one of the new shades of Strobe Cream, which is another cult favourite I always go back to. It's a light, non greasy moisturizer with a fluffy consistency that is dreamy mixed with foundation for gentle all-over luminosity, but I simply adore wearing underneath my base whenever my skin looks dull and lacklustre, as it instantly gives it a healthy, non shimmery glow.  I went for Silverlite which gives a lovely pearly glow to the skin and looks especially good on fair skin tones, but I've made a mental note to go back for Goldlite very soon - you know I do love everything golden and champagne when it comes to highlighters.

I also picked up a bottle of Studio Waterweight Foundation, as I was looking for a less glossy but equally natural-looking alternative to the Face & Body foundation for my kit and I wasn't disappointed. I really, really like this foundation, it has the most beautiful your skin but better finish and on closer inspection you can't really tell you're wearing any makeup. It's a light to medium coverage offering, definitely more suitable for everyday wear and dry to combination complexions, and I find it's best applied with a damp sponge that allows to get the most out of the coverage, while foundation brushes tend to keep it on the sheer side. I wish there was a shade lighter than NC15 because this is still a little too dark for me, but other than that I can't really fault this base.

Finally, I've been meaning to jump back on the fake lash train lately, so I grabbed a Lash Applicator on my way to the checkout - this is supposed to make full-strip lashes application smooth and totally hassle free, thanks to its ergonomic shape. I haven't been wearing falsies in a while, but hopefully this little handy tool will help me get back into the swing of things.

Have you picked up anything from MAC recently?

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5 tips for a long lasting base.

Whether you struggle with shine day-to-day or simply want to make sure that all the extra effort you put in your party makeup doesn't go to waist, we all agree that one of the biggest struggles of any beauty lover is not only achieving the perfect base, but also making sure that things hang around for as long as possible. Long wearing formulas only go so far and application is what really makes the difference, so today I'm sharing my top tips for a base that lasts, along with some of my favourite products for special occasions.

MIND THE SKIN PREP - A correct skin prep is key for a long lasting base that doesn't look cakey and stays flawless through out the day or the night. Exfoliating the night before a big event is always a good idea and the Pixi Glow Tonic never disappoints: it makes quick work of dead skin cells and dullness, whilst still being kind to sensitive complexions.
The next essential step is moisturizing and unfortunately this is not as easy as it sounds. The right product will keep your skin perfectly balanced for the whole day, but something too nourishing can make your makeup greasy and unstable, while a product that is not sufficiently hydrating will leave your skin patchy and make foundation and concealer hard to blend. The Caudalie SOS Thirst Quenching Serum is a firm favourite of mine and a true godsend for dehydrated skin, as it sinks in so quickly and keeps the water levels in check all day. I seriously cannot function without this stuff during wintertime. As for the eyes, I have repurchased the Kiehl's Avocado Eye Treatment countless times, as it's like a tall glass of water for the skin and by far the best eye cream to keep my peepers hydrated all day and make my concealer go on and last so much better.

MIX YOUR PRIMERS - One of my favourite things to do is play with my products, mixing and combining different ones to create the right concoction for my skin, and this technique works especially well with primers. For instance, my skin is quite dry around the edges and on the cheeks but normal on my nose and chin. Something like the Becca Priming Filter is ideal to add a touch of glow in those drier areas and create a smooth canvas for the following steps, while a drop of Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer on my nose helps keeping my base intact till cleansing time. For serious oil control on those problematic areas, the Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer is the bomb, as it's pretty much bullet proof and will keep you opaque even during the wildest parties. Trust me on this one.

SATIN IS THE WAY - You know me, I love my glow and on a daily basis I tend to gravitate toward luminous and dewy formulas, but unfortunately those are not always the most long lasting. However, a flat, matte base is not necessarily the only choice left: in fact, satin formulas are a great compromise between longevity and natural finish and when paired with the correct application, they can last just as long as an opaque option. Thin layers last so much better that one thick lump of products, so layer your base carefully, only adding extra coverage where needed. Finally go over everything with a damp sponge to press it really well into the skin, taking away any excess product. My go-to choices for long days and special events are the Nars Sheer Glow and the Charlotte Tilbury Magic foundation, as they both have great longevity and have a gorgeous lit-from-within finish. Both are also free of any spf, so go on and snap the evening away without fear.

Concealer wise, the Urban Decay Naked Skin and the Nars Radiant Creamy are the perfect pair: the former is especially good for blemishes and redness, 'cause it leans more on the matte side of things and doesn't budge, while the latter is the best full coverage option for those nasty dark circles and since it's so luminous, it lifts and brightens the eye area in a blink.

DON'T OVER-POWDER - I have to admit, I've never been on board of the 'baking' bandwagon. Sure, it sets the base and looks good in picture, but in real life it can look really heavy and ageing, especially under the eyes. Personally I much prefer buffing my powder into the skin with a super soft brush: you end up using less product this way and by pushing it right into the foundation, you'll lock your base in place and keep shine at bay for longer. The Chikuhodo Z4 Cheek/Highlight and the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish truly is a beauty match made in heaven and the perfect combination to achieve a flawless, airbrushed finish within seconds.

To be extra safe, don't forget a light spray of Urban Decay All Nighter that will seal your base and keep you matte for hours, while if you need to tone down the powderiness, a sprinkle of Mac Fix+ is perfect to instantly refresh cakey makeup.

CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES - I can't stress this enough, the right tools are essential for a professional result but a dirty brush can do more harm than good. Old product caught between the bristles can make application cakey and uneven, and because the fibres pick-up the natural oils from your skin, by putting those oils back on your base, you could cause premature shine and ruin all your hard work. Zoeva offers great quality affordable brushes and beautiful sets, so if you're looking to expand your brush collection without breaking the bank, check them out. How gorgeous is the Rose Golden Luxury set Vol. 2? Let's take a minute to swoon.

Do you have any tips for making your base last longer?

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Lush Christmas 2016 picks.

Who doesn't love a little bit of Lush on Christmas time? No one, that's who. To be fair I don't know anyone that wouldn't be happy to get some gorgeous bath goodies all year round, but there's something extra special about the Lush Holiday range that makes it absolutely irresistible. This year I felt particularly spoilt for choice and together with some old favourites, I've discovered some delightful numbers that made me wish I could buy the whole store and be all stocked up for the whole year. Read on if you want to find out what my top picks are.

Snowcastle - the old Snowcake soap bar - is a classic that never gets old and a truly must have for anyone struggling with dry skin during winter time. It's creamy and seriously moisturizing, bringing relief to thirsty skin and leaving your hands and body incredibly soft. Another favourite is Sleepy body lotion*, a limited edition release that I hope will soon become a regular product. This dreamy moisturizer infused with soothing lavender is a good night of sleep in a pot and something I love applying right before bed to feel extra relaxed. This is definitely one I need to hoard for any sleepless night ahead.

Every year I pick up a new lip scrub and this time around the winner is Sugar plum fairy. With hints of orange and grape, this smells and tastes exactly like the fruit jellies I used to eat as a kid and leaves my lips super smooth and ready for color. Lush lips scrubs are the ultimate essential if you struggle with chapped lips but still want to wear bold or matte lippies, and because a little goes a long way, they seem to last forever.
You can't go wrong with shower gels and the new entry Bubbly*, with the explosive scent of orange and lime, is the perfect companion to start the day with an energizing and uber refreshing shower, but if like me you can't resist the aroma of freshly picked juicy apples, Santa's belly shower jelly is the way to go. Love this one!

Shoot for the stars* wins the crown for the prettiest bath bomb of the year, with its deep blue water and beautiful golden stars made of cacao butter floating around the bathtub and slowly melting to leave the skin nourished and super soft. If you can't choose between bubbles and the show of a bath bomb, you will surely adore Never mind the ballistics. It's probably the least Christmassy of the bunch but is so pretty, swirling around in spirals of hot pink and yellow creating a soft creamy lather, while filling the room with the intense scent of banana candies. I'm definitely going to buy a couple more of these as soon as the sale begins.

Finally, year after year the gorgeous bubble wands end up stealing the show, and this Christmas is no exception. Not only they're extra cute and very instagrammable, but because they're reusable, somehow it feels like I'm getting my money worth even more. The Magic of Christmas is a firm favourite of mine that never fails to cheer me up, as I love the festive combination of almond and cinnamon, while Santasaurus* is a lovely option for the ones that prefer fruity scents. What is Christmas without an adorable dinosaur wearing a Santa hat, after all?

Are you a Lush fan? What's your favourite Holiday release?

*Press samples

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The Spooky Lush Edit.

A trip to Lush is obviously a fantastic treat all year round, but when the Halloween range hits the shelves it seems more appropriate then ever. As it always happen, I popped in to have a quick look around and left with an unmistakably lighter purse, a bag full of deliciously scented goodies and lots of dreamy baths in mind. Halloween is serious business at Lush and every single year without fail their bath collection has me bounce with excitement all the way to the till. I had to restrain myself a little, as my stash back at home was nearly overflowing already, but here are my picks.

The one cult classic I always feel drawn to is Lord of Misrule Shower cream (£4.95), truly a must-buy for any spicy scent-lover. It's smoky and peppery, with an added touch of vanilla to lift the herbal notes and make it a bit more mystical. The new formula is creamier than ever, it bubbles up like a dream - it doubles up as a bubble bath, in fact - and feels lovely on the skin. With its cozy scent that lingers around the house for hours afterwards, it's the perfect companion for a warming shower at the end of a long day.

Despite being a total shower gal, every once in a while I do crave a dip in a bathtub full of beautifully scented hot water and a colourful bath bomb frizzing around. On a whim I picked up Pumpkin Bath Bomb (£3.95) that stole my heart with its sharp zesty fragrance. This must be the most intensely fragranced bomb I've ever encountered - you can seriously smell orange and ginger through the paper bag and from the other side of the room. I can't wait to dump it in my bath tonight!
I also snatched a cute Monster's Ball (£4.25) after seeing it in action in the store. To be fair this doesn't smell very autumnal - it's rather floral actually, with hints of fruitiness -, but is absolutely adorable with that little eye made of cocoa butter that floats around over the moisturizing purple water.

If you love tons and tons of bubbles, grab yourself a Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble bar (£3.95), or three, and get mentally ready to find gold glitters everywhere for the next six months. So worth it, though. This adorable little pumpkin is not only very Instagram friendly, but feels uber energizing and uplifting thanks to the lime, grapefruit and juniperberry mix.  Plus, the cheerful mandarin orange water is simply perfect to brighten a foggy day.

Finally, I couldn't just leave little Boo Bath Melt (£3.95) alone on the shelf. This was my first time trying a Lush bath melt and I must say that I'm in obsessed. The clean, slightly soapy scent is right up my alley - it's a warming concoction of mimosa, ginger and sandalwood that melts away stress and tension and is incredibly soothing - and it left my skin feeling amazing, soft and nourished, and ready for soft pyjamas and a good night of sleep. It's the ultimate indulgence for dry skin gals like me.

Have you tried any of these bath treats? What are your plans for the scariest night of the year?
Be right back, the bathtub is not going to fill itself...

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